Thermometer-case.



No. 642,@87. Patented lan. 30, |900. S. A. CUNNINGHAM.

THERMOMETER CASE.

(Application filed Dec. 17, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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STEPHEN A. CUNNINGHAM, OF MARIETTA, OHIO.

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 642,087, dated January 30, 1900. Application iledDeceInher 17, 1898. Serial No. 699,570. (No model.)

To tu whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN A. CUNNING- HAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marietta, in the county of Washington and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Thermometer-Case, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to boxes or cases for containing fragile objects; and the object of the invention is to provide a case for a glassstem thermometer which will removably hold the latter and at the same time cushion the same and prevent breakage should the case be dropped while the thermometer is therein.

To this end the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a top plan viewof the case containing the thermometer, the cover being removed. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, the cover being in place. Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view thereof. Fig. l is a reverse detail perspective view of the cover.

Corresponding parts are denoted by like characters of reference in all the figures of the drawings.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, l designates the body of the case in the Jform of an oblong box having one side open and constructed of wood or other suitably strong and stiff material. The ends of this box are beveled or rounded, as shown, to facilitate the placing of the case in a pocket. At each end of the interior of the box is provided a yielding or cushioned stop 2, comprising a piece of soft rubber glued or otherwise secured to the box. These stops terminate short of the upper face of the box, as shown in Fig. 2.

Arranged intermediate the ends of the box are two or more 'tf-shaped seats 3, formed of soft yielding rubber and rigidly secured to the interior of the box. The upper ends of these seats also terminate short of the top face of the box, as do the stops at the end thereof.

The cover of the box, as best illustrated in Fig. 4, consists of a fiat piece 4, having` a central raised portion 5,which fits snugly within the mouth of the box and rests evenly upon Jdie upper ends of the stops 2 and seats 3. Suitable hinges 9 connect the lid or cover to one of the longitudinall'edges of the box, and a fastening 10 upon the opposite side thereof secures the cover tightly in place when the same is closed upon the thermometer. A soft-rubber strip 6 is secured longitudinally of the raised portion 5, terminating short of the ends thereof, so as to fit between the end stops 2. The cross-sectional shape of this strip is approximately V-shaped to lit snugly into the V-shaped seats 3. The broadest face of the strip is secured to the cover, the apex of the V being flattened and provided witha longitudinal concave groove 7, extending the entire length of the rubber strip.

In using the device the thermometer 8 is placed in the box and forced into the V-shaped seats 3, with its ends spaced from or not quite reaching the cushioned stops 2. The stem of the thermometer is adapted to lit snugly Within the seats, so that it is substantially held in the box, cannot fall outif the latter is upset, and is prevented from being shaken about, as would result if the thermometer was loosely contained in the box. When the cover is placed upon the box, the concave groove receives the upper face of the thermometer, and the strip is forced down into the V-shaped seats, resulting in a binding action,\vhich acts as a further means to hold the thermometer in place. The cover thus aids in holding the thermometer, and the rubber strip presents a yielding surface which will not damage or mar the graduations on the stem of the thermometer.

The instrument may be readily removed by opening the cover upon its hinges and pressing downward upon one end of the thermometer, which will tilt the other end upward above the top of the box, Where it may be grasped by the fingers and drawn out of' the case. By reason of the ends of the thermometer not engaging with the end stops it may be easily removed, as described, and the stops cushion the thermometer against longitudinal movement and prevent breakage thereof.

By the provision and arrangement of the yielding seats, end stops, and the strip upon the cover the thermometer is lirmly and yieldingly held within the case and is spaced out of possible contact with. the sides thereof, thus IOO obviating damage or breakage of the instrument lby reason of dropping the case or rough handling thereof. The size of the case is not much larger than the instrument itself and can be conveniently carried in a pocket of the clothing without discomfort to the person. The rounded ends of the case facilitate the introduction thereof into a vest-pocket, for

square corners at the ends would catch in the pocket; I

The device is especially designed fo r use by doctors who carry thermometers with them in their professional visits and is intended to incase the instrument in a simple and eective manner, protecting the same against damage and at the same time permitting of its ready removal When desired for use.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

n Having thus described the invention, what is claimed isl. A case for thermometers or the like, comprising a box or container, one side of which is open, open-sided seats provided between the ends thereof and adapted to hold the article from contact with the box, and a cover closing the open side of the box and adapted to rest upon the open ends and close the openings of the seats, substantially as shown and described.

2. Acase for thermometers orthe like, comprising a box, one side of which is open, opensided cushioned seats within the box adapted to hold the article from contact with the box, and a cover closing the open side of the box and adapted to rest upon the open ends of the seats, said cover carrying on its under side a cushion which fits Within the openings of the seats and securely clamps the article in place, substantially as described.

3. In a case for thermometers or other fragile objects, the combination with a box or con tainer, of yielding or cushioned stops provided at each end thereof, rubber or yielding V- shaped seats provided between the stops, and a cover having a longitudinal like strip provided upon the under side thereof, said Strip being adapted to fit snugly within the V- shaped seats and in engagement with the object, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a case for thermometers or other fragile objects, the combination with a box or container,of cushioned or yielding stops provided at each end of the box and terminating short of the top of the box, cushioned V-shaped seats provided between the stops and terminating short of the top of the box, and a cover having a longitudinal raised portion upon the under side thereof, and a rubber or like strip secured thereto, the raised portion of the cover being adapted to fit within the opening of the box and upon the tops of the stops and seats, and the rubber strip to bind Within the V-shaped seats and engage the thermometer or other object, substantially as shown and described.

5. In a case for thermometers or other fragile objects, the combination with a box or container, of cushioned or yielding stops provided at each end of the box and terminating short of the top thereof, yielding V-shaped seats provided between the stops and terminating short of the top of the box, and a cover having a central raised longitudinal portion, and a rubber or like strip terminating short of the ends of the raised portion and secured longitudinally thereof, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedv my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

STEPHEN A. CUNNINGHAM.

Witnesses:

R. D. COOKE, HENRY BLUME. 

